Mio Alpaca
IN SCANDICCI (FIRENZE)
ABOUT US
Mio Alpaca
"Follies are the only things you never regret" (Oscar Wilde).
Ah, follies.
Those incredible, memorable follies.
That impulse that leads you to do something you never thought possible.
That takes you beyond every expectation you've set for yourself.
The moment when suddenly a dream becomes tangible.
The moment when it takes on a smell, a color, and a breath. Regular. Strong.
I believe that everyone has, at least once, been part of a change that doesn't only concern themselves but everything around them because when a dream comes true, nothing seems the same as before.
And so, on a simple day in March 2018, Axel and Slash arrived.
Two brothers, beautiful in my eyes. The moment their paws crossed the garden entrance, I knew the first piece of my heart was already out of my control. But once they got home, they started spitting at me.
Ah, love is blind. We started working, slowly with patience.
We created a bond between us, walking or just spending time together. In short! They often say you never forget your first Alpacas!
At that point, the road began to rise and fall, just like the path through the woods, the road where I realized the magic expressed by such a simple walk with those big creatures by my side.
The road where, for the first time, I thought, "How wonderful it would be if more people could experience this."
And that's where Mio Alpaca was born.
From the desire to share and transmit this passion.
I took other Alpacas and saved others, as well as lost them. Then I took the Llamas too.
And today, here I am, working every day for these animals, struggling, sometimes wondering if it wouldn't be better to let it go. Then I see them. The animals, the smiles, and the harmony.
I spend hours watching my little flock: the alpacas - Slash, Clio, Venus, Plinio, Pericle, Elvis, Enigma, Thor, Tyson - and the llamas: Cairo, Maco, Jacko, Rhum, and Lupin.
So I close my eyes and think that, in the end, if I went back, I wouldn't change anything.
I would live this folly from the first moment until today.
Oscar Wilde was right.
Ah, I almost forgot, I am Camilla, I am a veterinarian who managed to make a dream come true. I have overcome problems and difficult moments, and today I am proud to say that I am waiting for you in Roveta, above Scandicci, in the province of Florence, with my small but big family.
As unusual as it may be!
WHO WE ARE? I am Camilla, a veterinarian experienced in IAA and assistant to donkeys and horses, and Roberto, known as the "Alpaca and Llama Whisperer," a retiree in love with our herd! Roberto has great communication skills with animals and, above all, is always very biased because he is convinced that they are the best and always right. And heaven forbid you contradict him!
And then, external people come to help us, allowing us to do more diverse things, enriching the experiences we can offer you.
THE FARM
On hills
We are on the hills of Scandicci, on the outskirts of Florence, in a reserve that hosts woods, olive groves, and vineyards. Our animals live in a field surrounded by the forest, hidden in the shade of oaks and holm oaks, embraced in spring by the scent of acacia plants and broom blossoms. This is our little world, a bit secret. An unexpected reality, composed of animals and people who together joyfully welcome guests!
WHAT WE DO
Knowledge and well-being
We offer AAI (Animal-Assisted Interventions), especially AAA (Animal-Assisted Activities) and EAA (Education-Assisted with Animals). We collaborate with schools, social centers, and nursing homes to share knowledge and passion for these splendid animals. By walking with them in the woods, we manage to bring people closer to slow, calm, and relaxing times, which are necessary to communicate with their adventure companions.
We conduct team-building activities, share our space for alpaca yoga sessions (where animals roam freely among people practicing yoga), and offer small workshops on alpaca fiber. We collaborate with environmental guides to enhance the experience with knowledge of the local flora.
We bring alpacas and llamas to schools and healthcare facilities. Occasionally, I remember that I am also a veterinarian, not just a mom to a herd of camelids, so I offer some medical advice!
Last but not least, we host bachelorette parties and celebrations! What a fun and laughter-filled experience: the herd has become experts at these events. Veils, costumes, alpaca-shaped pajamas, crowns, and eccentric glasses no longer surprise them, and graciously, they participate in the festivities.
HOW WE WORK
Customized activities
We put our hearts into everything we do, and we don't really consider it a job but rather a privilege, a sharing of beautiful feelings, and an opportunity to make the world a little better! Our goal is the "contamination" of the visitor: a smile, a rediscovered dream, a laugh, a bit of sweetness, tenderness, amazement, the embrace given to the long necks of alpacas and llamas... and thus, a contagious happiness is created that is perceived even by those who haven't experienced it firsthand.
To create this somewhat intimate and delicate atmosphere, we dedicate ourselves exclusively to individuals: we don't organize mixed groups, only people who know each other. Because, as I always say, "we're not going for a walk with camels every day!"
By some magical alchemy, special people with extraordinary talents often come to us, leading to unexpected collaborations not only in field activities but also in artistic and artisanal creations. Always themed around alpacas and llamas, of course!
THE EXPERIENCE WE OFFER
Path in the woods
We have a fantastic welcoming committee composed of two Ouessant sheep, Bonnie and Clyde, who, with their funny and tender appearance, are a balm for the soul. Just one look at those curious little eyes is enough to forget worries and immediately feel in a good mood. Then there are the Indian runner ducks, always on the move, always looking for adventures around the field. It's not clear what they are searching for, but their enthusiasm is contagious. When you see them happily running, you can't help but follow them, if only for a moment.
The laying hens have a specific role: they are the guardians of crumbs. Every time someone sits down for a snack or a sandwich outdoors, they are there, ready to check if any delicious crumbs from snacks or sandwiches fall. Nothing escapes their attention. And then there are Fred and Wilma, the two Franconian geese: they walk with a dignified air and look at you with a somewhat suspicious gaze, both convinced that they are part of the alpaca and llama herd. It's impossible not to smile in the face of so much conviction and determination, and every time you see them marching with their clumsy legs, you know for sure that you are in the right place.
With this cheerful and colorful band as our companions, we enter the realm of the "furry" ones, as we affectionately call them. Each member of the herd has a unique nickname and a distinctive personality.
Slash, the "king," has taken command and takes care of everything, always keeping a watchful eye on the group. Pericle, the "messy artist," is a professional troublemaker very sensitive to feminine charm. Plinio, the "soldier" always ready to say "yes," is always available to offer assistance in any task.
Falling in love with one of these furry friends is an integral part of the experience. A connection is created, a chemistry that makes every walk with them a fascinating and enchanting journey. The silent steps of the animals accompany us through the woods and make us forget the hectic rhythms of life for a while. We walk, and we keep walking in every season because nature dresses differently throughout the year, and we want to experience it fully.
No expectations, no judgment, no need for performance, just living the experience with the calm and relaxed pace of alpacas and llamas.
Upon returning from the walk, we allow ourselves some well-deserved rest in the relaxation area, with tables and chairs, a hammock, and a cozy sofa. And why not enjoy some herbal tea or a good coffee?
But the real joy begins when we prepare carrots for our very greedy animal friends. Suddenly, we become stars, and the "furry" friends admire our every move. Of course, the competition for carrots sometimes leads to some more or less playful disputes, and disappointment can even turn into a spit, as feared as it is mythologized (but no worries, just stay out of the trajectory!).
For those who cannot or do not want to walk, there is always the possibility of meeting the herd on the spot, even with long-line trials, as no one can leave the field without gaining a bit of experience and knowledge.
As we bid farewell to our guests, our hearts are filled with joy seeing smiles on their faces and a bit of fiber in their hands, a small sign of the unforgettable experience shared with our extraordinary welcoming committee.